JP2003325474A - Mri apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) apparatus which enables the simultaneous use of the MRI apparatus and an X-ray apparatus or the like without moving a subject and apparatuses significantly and assures the accuracy of an imaging position. <P>SOLUTION: A compact and lightweight MRI unit 11 and an X-ray unit 16 are mounted on both end parts of an arm 14 and are constituted to rotate this arm 14 around a central 18. The MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 are alternately positioned at an imaging area of the subject easily without moving the subject because of the structure. Rotation trajectories of centers 17 and 19 formed by the rotations of the arm 14 match up approximately because of the structure constituted to have the distance between the center 18 of rotation and the center 17 of a static magnetic field equal to the distance between the center 18 of rotation and the isocenter 19. As a result, an imaging cross section for MRI matches a cross section for taking X-ray images accurately, and the accuracy of the imaging position can be assured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an MRI apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When capturing an internal image of a human body, an X-ray apparatus is used when the imaging speed is prioritized, and an MRI apparatus is used when the high resolution of the image is prioritized. Appropriate shooting is possible.

For example, when imaging the inside of a human body by using a contrast medium, it is convenient to use an X-ray device for imaging a blood vessel and an MRI device for a tumor part of the brain.

Therefore, MRI is performed on one subject.
If you want to use the X-ray machine and the X-ray machine continuously, MR
The I apparatus and the X-ray apparatus are installed adjacent to each other, and the subject is moved between the apparatuses while the bed is placed on the bed, or the MRI apparatus is fixed, and when the X-ray apparatus is used, the X-ray apparatus is used. To M
The image is taken by moving it to the vicinity of the RI device.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, when it is desired to continuously use the MRI apparatus and the X-ray apparatus, either the subject is moved or the apparatus is moved. Either or both of them must be compelled, but moving the subject is not preferable because it puts a burden on the patient who is the subject.

Further, if the X-ray apparatus is largely moved to the vicinity of the MRI apparatus without moving the subject, it takes a long time to accurately position the imaging position.

[0007] In addition, immediately after or immediately before radiography by the MRI apparatus, it is sometimes desired to separately subject the subject to inspection or the like. In this case as well, the subject is located at a different location from the MRI apparatus. It was necessary to move to the inspection position or the like, or to move from the inspection position or the like to the MRI apparatus.

As a result, a long adjustment work and moving time for photographing are required, and the burden on the subject and the photographer becomes large.

An object of the present invention is to enable simultaneous imaging of an MRI apparatus and other examinations of an X-ray apparatus without moving the subject or the apparatus significantly, and to secure the accuracy of imaging position. MRI device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. (1) A static magnetic field generating means for applying a static magnetic field to the subject, a gradient magnetic field generating means for applying a gradient magnetic field to the subject, a gradient magnetic field power source for driving the gradient magnetic field generating means, and a diagnostic region of the subject. A probe for irradiating a high-frequency signal with respect to and receiving a high-frequency signal emitted from the subject,
A computer that controls the high-frequency transmitting / receiving unit that drives the probe to irradiate and receive the high-frequency signal, the gradient magnetic field power source and the high-frequency transmitting / receiving unit, and performs image reconstruction calculation using the high-frequency signal received by the probe. And an MR having display means for displaying an image generated by this computer
In the apparatus I, an MRI unit having the static magnetic field generating means, the gradient magnetic field generating means, and the probe, and an arm rotatably supported around a predetermined center point and having the MRI unit fixed to the end thereof. And the MRI unit rotates about the center point together with the arm.

(2) Preferably, in the above (1),
The MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm,
An X-ray unit having X-ray generating means and X-ray detecting means is attached to the other end of the arm.

(3) Preferably, in the above (1), the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and a medical means such as a surgical microscope is attached to the other end of the arm. There is.

(4) Preferably, in the above (1), the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm has an X-ray generating means and an X-ray detecting means. A medical device such as an X-ray unit or a surgical microscope is detachably attached.

(5) Preferably, in the above (1), the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm has a desired difference from the weight of the MRI unit. A size balance is attached.

(6) Preferably, in the above (2) or (4), the distance between the center of the static magnetic field of the MRI unit and the center point of the arm, the isocenter of the X-ray unit and the arm. The distance from the center point is almost equal.

(7) Further, preferably, in the above (1) to (6), the MRI unit is connected to the gradient magnetic field power supply, the high frequency transmitting / receiving section and the computer to supply drive power, detect signals and A cable for transmitting and receiving control signals is incorporated in the arm.

The MRI unit is fixed to the end of an arm that is rotatably supported about a predetermined center point, and rotates together with the arm about the center point.

Therefore, it is possible to use the MR without moving the subject.
Before or after the imaging by the I apparatus, after rotating the MRI unit, it is possible to perform other examinations and the like, and the imaging by the MRI apparatus and other examinations can be performed simultaneously without moving the subject or the apparatus largely. It is possible to realize an MRI apparatus that is capable of ensuring the imaging position accuracy.

[0019]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The XYZ coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 is in the Z-axis direction (direction from the floor surface to the ceiling).
Shows the vertical direction, and FIG. 1 is a diagram when the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the Z-axis direction. In FIG. 1, a column 13 is installed so as to extend from the floor surface in the Z direction, and an arm 14 is attached to the upper end of the column 13. This arm 14
Is rotatable about the rotation center point 18 in the XZ plane.

A U-shaped auxiliary arm 12 is attached to one end of the arm 14, and the auxiliary arm 12
The MRI unit 11 is fixed to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the MRI unit 11 includes two static magnetic field generating means 1 and 2 facing each other.
It is provided with one gradient magnetic field generating means 2 and two probes 4.

The MRI unit 11 is not a general large MRI apparatus as shown in FIG. 6 which will be described later, but is a small MRI unit capable of photographing only the head, for example. This small MRI unit 11 is a large MRI unit.
Although the image accuracy and the like are lower than those of the X-ray apparatus, they are smaller and lighter and have higher image accuracy than the X-ray apparatus.

In FIG. 1, at the other end of the arm 14,
A U-shaped auxiliary arm 15 is attached, and the X-ray unit 16 is fixed to the auxiliary arm 15. The X-ray unit 16 includes an X-ray generator 30 and an X-ray detector 31, which face each other, as shown in FIG.

Further, in FIG. 1, the MRI unit 11
The X-ray unit 16 and the X-ray unit 16 are symmetrical with respect to the center point 18. 17 is the center of the static magnetic field, and 19 is the isocenter of the X-ray unit 16.

FIG. 2 is a view of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 2, the subject 8 is placed on the bed 9 here,
Following the MRI imaging of the same cross section of the head of the subject 8, X-ray imaging is performed, and then MRI imaging is performed again.

The arm 14 has a center point 18 as its center.
The bed 9 rotates in the XZ plane direction and moves in the X direction.
For this reason, first, in order to perform MRI imaging, the operator
The positions of the bed 9 and the MRI unit 11 are adjusted so that the center 20 of the cross section of the subject 8 to be imaged and the center 17 of the static magnetic field of the MRI unit 11 coincide with each other.

The static magnetic field center 17 is a region in which magnetic field uniformity is high and an MRI image with good image quality can be obtained. Unit 1
The rotation of 1 may be electric or manual, and the unit 1
Arm 14 to balance the weight difference between 1 and unit 16
It is possible to rotate the arm 14 with an appropriate amount of torque if the adjustment is performed by adding to the arm.

Next, after completion of MRI imaging, in order to perform X-ray imaging, the center 20 of the section to be imaged and the X-ray unit 1 are taken.
The arm 14 is rotated so that the six isocenters 19 are aligned with each other.

As can be understood from FIG. 2, since the MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 are opposite to each other by 180 °, the rotation amount from the position at the time of MRI imaging to the position of the arm 14 for performing X-ray imaging is. It becomes 180 °.

Since the distance between the rotation center 18 and the static magnetic field center 17 and the distance between the rotation center 18 and the isocenter 19 are equal, the rotation of the centers 17 and 19 as the arm 14 rotates. Both tracks are shown in Fig. 2.
It coincides with the rotation locus 21 shown.

Therefore, the MR can be operated without complicated operations.
It is possible to exactly match the I-section and the X-ray section, and it is possible to ensure the imaging position accuracy.

After the X-ray imaging is completed, the arm 14 is rotated again to perform the MRI imaging. In this case, similarly to the above, the rotation amount of the arm 14 at this time is 180 °, and the center 20 of the cross section to be imaged and the center 17 of the static magnetic field of the MRI unit 11 can be matched again.

The units 11 and 16 include
The MRI unit, the gradient magnetic field power source,
A cable for connecting the high-frequency transmitting / receiving unit and the computer, supplying drive power, transmitting / receiving the detection signal and the control signal, a cable for supplying power to the X-ray unit 16, a cable for transmitting the detection signal, etc. are connected. However, in order to prevent them from being entangled by the rotation of the arm 14, the cables may be housed in the arm 14 and the column 13, and connected to an external power source and a computer via the bottom of the floor 22.

Since it is possible to rotate the arm 14 only in one direction, it is possible to provide a stopper so that the arm 14 cannot rotate in one direction beyond a certain angle.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the small and lightweight MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 are attached to both ends of the arm 14, and the arm 1
Since 4 is configured to be rotatable around the center point 18,
It is possible to easily position the MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 alternately in the imaging region of the subject without moving the subject.

Further, since the distance between the center of rotation 18 and the center of static magnetic field 17 and the distance between the center of rotation 18 and the isocenter 19 are equal, the rotation loci of the centers 17 and 19 accompanying the rotation of the arm 14. Almost matches,
It is possible to exactly match the MRI imaging section and the X-ray imaging section, and it is possible to ensure imaging position accuracy.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an MRI apparatus in which the MRI apparatus and the X-ray apparatus can be used at the same time without moving the subject or the apparatus largely and the accuracy of the imaging position can be secured.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment M of the present invention.
It is a schematic block diagram of a RI apparatus. In addition, X shown in FIG.
In the YZ coordinate system, as in the example shown in FIG. 1, the Z-axis direction (the direction from the floor surface to the ceiling) indicates the vertical direction, and FIG. 4 shows the second direction of the present invention from this Z-axis direction. It is a figure when seeing the MRI apparatus which is an embodiment of.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the arm 14, the MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 are provided.
Is an example in which the arm 14, the MRI unit 11 and the X-ray unit 16 rotate in the XY plane in the second embodiment. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the example of FIG. 1 and the example of FIG. 4, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, as in the first embodiment,
The distance between the rotation center 18 and the static magnetic field center 17, and the rotation center 1
When the distance between 8 and the isocenter 19 is equal, the arm 1
The loci of the magnetic field center 17 and the isocenter 19 accompanying the rotation of 4 coincide with each other.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to accurately match the MRI imaging section and the X-ray imaging section without performing a complicated operation.

Also in the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

The first embodiment is an example of rotating on the XZ plane in the figure, and the second embodiment is an example of rotating on the XY plane. However, both the XZ plane and the XY plane rotate. It can also be possible.

Furthermore, it is possible to freely rotate in three-dimensional directions. In this way, the moving range of the unit is expanded, which is convenient in handling.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a balance 32 is attached to the auxiliary arm 15. This balance 32 is
The X-ray unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 is removed from the auxiliary arm 15 and is attached to that position in place of the X-ray unit 16.

The other structure is the same as that of the example shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The balance 32 may be a simple weight for adjusting the weight difference with the MRI unit 16 to a desired size so as to balance the weight with the MRI unit 16. However, medical means or instruments such as a microscope for surgery may be used. It may be a storage box for storing.

An instrument such as a microscope for surgery is attached to the auxiliary arm 15
If it is configured to be attached to the MRI unit 11, the rotational movement of the arm 14 similar to that of the first or second embodiment enables simultaneous use with the MRI unit 11 and other desired instruments.

If the X-ray unit 16 and the balance 32 can be attached to and detached from the auxiliary arm 15 as in the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described first and second embodiments can be obtained. , The X-ray unit 16 and other desired instruments can be used simultaneously with the MRI apparatus without significantly moving the subject or the apparatus.

Although the X-ray unit 16 and the balance 32 are detachable from the auxiliary arm 15 in the third embodiment, the balance 32 may be fixed to the auxiliary arm 15.

Even in this case, another examination or the like can be performed after the MRI unit 11 is rotated before or after imaging by the MRI apparatus without moving the subject, and the subject and the device can be operated. It is possible to realize an MRI apparatus capable of simultaneously performing imaging by the MRI apparatus and other examinations without making a large movement, and capable of ensuring imaging position accuracy.

Further, in the above example, the arm 1
4, the MRI unit 11 is attached to one end of the arm 14, and the X-ray unit 16 or the balance 32 is attached to the other end thereof. The MRI unit 11 can also be configured to be rotatable.

With this configuration, it is possible to realize an MRI apparatus capable of simultaneously executing the above and the like, and capable of ensuring the imaging position accuracy.

Although the general structure of the MRI apparatus is shown in FIG. 6, the MRI apparatus of the present invention also has the constituent elements shown in FIG. That is, the MRI apparatus includes a static magnetic field generating means 1 for applying a static magnetic field to the subject 8, a gradient magnetic field generating means 2 for applying a gradient magnetic field to the subject 8, and a gradient magnetic field power supply 3 for supplying electric power to the gradient magnetic field generating means 2. A probe 4 for irradiating a high-frequency magnetic field on an imaging region of the subject 8 and receiving a high-frequency magnetic field emitted by nuclear magnetic resonance of living tissue of the subject 8, a static magnetic field generating means 1, and a gradient magnetic field generating means 2. The high-frequency transmitting / receiving unit 5 that drives the probe 4 to irradiate and receive the high-frequency magnetic field, and the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 and the high-frequency transmitting / receiving unit 5 are controlled according to the pulse sequence at the time of imaging, and the high-frequency signal received by the probe 4 is received. It is composed of a computer 6 that uses it to perform image reconstruction calculation, and a display 7 that inputs an image signal generated by the computer 6 and displays it as a tomographic image.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the small and lightweight MRI unit is attached to the arm and the arm is configured to be rotatable, it is possible to move the subject without moving.
The MRI unit can be easily and accurately moved to the imaging position of the subject.

Therefore, an MRI apparatus capable of simultaneously performing imaging by the MRI apparatus and other examinations by an X-ray apparatus and the like and ensuring the imaging position accuracy without moving the subject or the apparatus largely. Can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram when the first embodiment of the present invention is viewed from an angle different from the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MRI unit and an X-ray unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus that is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general MRI apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Static magnetic field generation means 2 Gradient magnetic field generation means 3 gradient magnetic field power supply 4 probes 5 High frequency magnetic field transceiver 8 subject 9 beds 11 MRI unit 12 Auxiliary arm 13 props 14 arms 15 Auxiliary arm 16 X-ray unit 30 X-ray generator 31 X-ray detector 32 balance

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shigeru Watanabe             1-14-1 Kanda, Uchida, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside the Hitachi Medical Co. F-term (reference) 4C093 CA16 CA37 EC14 EC15 EC28                 4C096 AA18 AB41 AD03 AD08 AD19                       AD23 CA01 CA16 CA18 CA36                       CA59 FC20

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A static magnetic field generating means for applying a static magnetic field to an object, a gradient magnetic field generating means for applying a gradient magnetic field to the object, and a gradient magnetic field power supply for driving the gradient magnetic field generating means.
A probe for irradiating a high-frequency signal to the diagnostic part of the subject and receiving a high-frequency signal emitted from the subject, and a high-frequency transceiver for driving and irradiating the high-frequency signal with the probe, In an MRI apparatus having a computer that controls the gradient magnetic field power source and the high frequency transmitting / receiving unit and performs an image reconstruction operation using the high frequency signal received by the probe, and a display unit that displays an image generated by the computer An MRI unit having the static magnetic field generation means, the gradient magnetic field generation means, and the probe; and an arm rotatably supported about a predetermined center point and having the end fixed to the MRI unit. The MR is characterized in that the MRI unit rotates together with the arm around the center point.
I device. 2. The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm has an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector. An MRI apparatus characterized by being attached. 3. The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and medical means such as a surgical microscope is attached to the other end of the arm. Characteristic MRI device. 4. The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm has an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector. Alternatively, a medical means such as a surgical microscope is detachably attached to the MRI apparatus. 5. The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the MRI unit is fixed to one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm has a desired difference in weight from the MRI unit. An MRI apparatus having a certain balance attached. 6. The MRI apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the center of the static magnetic field of the MRI unit and the center of the arm, the isocenter of the X-ray unit, and the center of the X-ray unit. An MRI apparatus characterized in that the distance from the center point of the arm is substantially equal. 7. The MRI apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the MRI unit is connected to the gradient magnetic field power supply, a high frequency transmitter / receiver and a computer, and drive power is supplied for detection. An MRI apparatus characterized in that a cable for transmitting and receiving a signal and a control signal is incorporated in the arm.